Farmall Cub

I just found a neat trick. I live in a small town in the middle of the old economy (furniture, tobacco, and textiles). Central VA.

Nobody, even the locals supermarket which carries Octagon soap (ancient product) carries Washing Soda (mostly made now by Arm & Hammer).

I think TSP and Lye are a bit on the expensive side for an electrolysis tank--I'm building a big one.

So what's a guy to do?

Basically you can make washing soda out of baking soda. You spread out the baking soda on a sheet pan and bake it. The heat drives off the oxygen in the form of Co2, and steam. I found the link here: http://naturesnurtureblog.com/2012/05/0 ... hing-soda/

If you are a member of Costco or Sam's Club you can by a great big box of baking soda for very little.

Give it a try, can't hurt, you know.

Sisyphus and his Boulder

"Tiny Montgomery sez hello."

I use the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. Works fine. Find it at full line hardware stores that have housewares or grocery story in laundry section.

Sisyphus wrote:I'm building a big one.

How big is the tank you are building

Sisyphus wrote:Nobody, even the locals supermarket which carries Octagon soap (ancient product) carries Washing Soda (mostly made now by Arm & Hammer).

It can be non-existent in some areas as you have found out. Looks like you found a good way to overcome the problem. Thanks for the tip, it should help others who don't have washing soda locally.